You’re Only as Good as Your Willingness to Keep Learning

It’s an old proverb, but it’s the way I’ve seen great photographers in our industry stay focused. They never slow down and never stop trying to learn something new.

The first book I wrote was with Don Blair, Don Blair’s Guide to Posing and Lighting Body Parts. It was a guide on traditional portraiture, mostly about what to do with Mother Nature’s challenges, including bad complexions, eyeglasses, braces, posing of women who weren’t size 5, etc. Nobody could create a more flattering portrait than the legendary Big Daddy Blair himself. He was one of the very best.

Don was once asked, “What’s the best portrait you’ve ever done?” His answer said it all, “I don’t know, I haven’t done it yet!”

There’s no question that Don was one of the finest portrait photographers in the world, but at 75 he still hadn’t stopped learning. He still hadn’t created what in his heart he felt was his finest work. He always knew he could do better and kept attending every class he had time for.

Set your goals high, but never believe you’ve hit the top!

We’re part of an industry that’s continually changing. Paradigms shift every morning, sometimes as consistently as the sun coming up. Changes in communication and technology are always challenging us. Our creativity is never completely tapped, continuously being expanded by other photographers and leaders in the industry.

Have some fun with this little exercise: Take a look at the first images you ever captured, then look at your work today. Odds are you’ll have a front row seat to your own evolution. Photography is an ongoing process. As long as you keep learning your ability to evolve as an artist will never stop.

And remember – growth only happens outside your comfort zone. So, as you sign up for various classes during the year, always pick a few topics entirely outside your regular skill set.

Skip Cohen is an industry executive recognized for his diversity. He has served as past president of Hasselblad USA, Rangefinder/WPPI and in 2009 founded his own educational consulting company. In 2013 he launched Skip Cohen University dedicated to helping artists build a stronger business. He's a regular speaker at a variety of conventions and writes for several different magazines, as well as having two business classes at Lynda.com. Click above to visit the SCU blog.

Beverly, along with her husband, Tim, took over Walden’s Photography in 1980, taking the studio in an entirely different direction when they developed their trademark “Relationship” Black and White Fine Art Portraiture. Today, they run a high-end studio, providing beautifully crafted portraits with impeccable customer service, along with Walden Coaching (www.WaldenCoaching.com) helping photographers build a stronger brand and business.

Bob Coates is a practicing photographer, artist, Panasonic Lumix Luminary and educator. Bob coaches photographers on business, marketing, photography and Photoshop. His diversity as an artist is legendary with experiences in virtually all major specialties. He regularly teaches/presents at many of the major conventions, but also to small groups around the country. Click on his headshot to visit his Successful-Photographer blog.

Bryan Caporicci is the CEO and Founder of Sprout Studio. He is an award-winning wedding and portrait photographer based out of Fonthill, Canada. He is a Fuji X-Photographer and was one of the youngest Canadians to receive his Masters of Photographic Arts (MPA). The Sprouting Photographer blog is one of the most extensive professional photography blogs in the industry and in 2015, after just 8 months on the air, the SproutingPhotographer podcasts won best of iTunes. Click on Bryan's picture to link to his blog.

Chamira started her journey into the arts with a goal to be an artist. From the University of Michigan School of Art & Design (Go Blue!) to working as an excited graphic designer and illustrator at a book publishing company, to serving as an eager photographer, print designer, and web designer at an international motorcycle magazine. She admits to being a tech nerd and today is a successful photographer, podcaster and writer. She co-hosts two popular podcasts with Skip Cohen, writes for Photofocus.com, her own blog, ProPhotographerJourney, and has a never-ending love for the craft!

Justin & Mary are an international wedding photography duo, who travel the globe shooting weddings, teaching, & inspiring other small business owners. Their “Walk Through a Wedding” Workshops have been presented worldwide including London, Australia & The Netherlands. They've authored two books- The Guide to Marketing and the J&M Lighting Guide, presented at international conferences including WPPI and The Dutch Wedding Congress and have been named as one of Profoto’s Legends of Lighting.

Lori Nordstrom {M.Photog., Cr., CPP, ABI} owns a boutique studio specializing in children and family portraits located in the small, picturesque town of Winterset, Iowa. Lori has been a photographer for over 20 years and is known not only for her simple and sweet portraits of children but as a leader in the photography industry in the areas of business, marketing and sales. Lori is a PPA approved business instructor, and sharing with other photographers and small business owners is one of the things she most enjoys. http://www.nordstromphoto.com

Michele Celentano is one of America's leading family photographers, Canon Explorer of Light and a published author. She's a sought-after educator and artist who strongly believes in the importance of photographs. "The most important part of this journey through life are the people we love. For me, the second most important thing we have are the photographs that help us to remember those we love when they are no longer with us...Photographs of the people we love the most and the times we spend with them will outlast any material thing we have."

Nicole Begley, M.Photog.Cr, CPP, is an animal trainer turned pet photographer based in Pittsburgh, PA who also travels the world teaching pet photographers from every corner of the globe. She is the creator of Hair of the Dog, a site dedicated to helping pet photographers run a profitable pet photography studio and has authored a book - Pet and Horse Photography for Everybody. A member of PPA since 2010, Nicole has earned her Master of Photography degree, Photographic Craftsman degree, as well as her Certified Professional Photographer designation. Her work has won several awards at local and district competition, as well as a four-time medalist in the International Print Competition.

Robert Nowell is a veteran full-time professional photographer. He has photographed over 650 weddings and has a sterling reputation as a portrait artist. Robert has taught thousands of photographers in the last three decades. He is currently an adjunct professor at Mohawk college In the Creative Photography program where he teaches business and marketing. Robert is co-founder and content creator at Sprouting Photographer and Vice President and co-founder at Sprout Studio.

Sarah is a New York Times best-selling author, highly-acclaimed speaker, author, MBA and coach who started her own boutique photography studio after working for Coca Cola for 20 years and then meeting the marketing goals of a top regional advertising agency’s clients. She attributes the rapid growth of her boutique photography studio, which was named one of the most profitable in the country within just five years in business by PPA, to the creation of her own strong brand. Click on Sarah's photograph to visit her blog.

Skip Cohen is an industry executive recognized for his diversity. He has served as past president of Hasselblad USA, Rangefinder/WPPI and in 2009 founded his own educational consulting company. In 2013 he launched Skip Cohen University dedicated to helping artists build a stronger business. He's a regular speaker at a variety of conventions and writes for several different magazines, as well as having two business classes at Lynda.com. Click above to visit the SCU blog.

Suzette Allen, Lumix Ambassador and Adobe Influencer, is a long- time Photoshop instructor and Hybrid pioneer who continues to reinvent herself to stay current with the changing landscape of photography. Pursuing creativity by embracing technology has become a hallmark of her style and a continual driving force to share her creativity with the world. She passionately creates and shares her vision as a Photographer and Educator, being a lover of people AND photographic art!

Tamara Lackey is a photographer, writer and educator. While her photographic specialty is primarily children and families, there's probably nothing she hasn't photographed. She's also an outstanding talk-show host, mother, wife and friend to so many in the industry. She's one of the few artists who has helped photographers establish their priorities between being a business-style and lifestyle.

Mr. Wunder is a 30 year veteran in the photo marketing business. His expertise extends from Portrait Studios to Special Events including School Photography, Sports, Yearbooks and Directory publishing. An industry insider, he has worked with smaller, entrepreneurial firms as well as large corporate clients. He is in demand as a consultant, trainer and presenter for conventions and workshops at the regional, national and international level.

Mark Weber is a veteran professional photographer and marketing consultant with Marathon Press. His photography has won numerous awards for recognition of a variety of unique and innovative styles. In addition, his educational programs on marketing have helped studio owners increase the profitability of their business. He spearheads the MAP at Marathon Press which helps photographers gain control of their business and execute a customized, strategic marketing plan to maximize profits and take their business to a new level with ongoing marketing support. Weber is a former past President of the Professional Photographers of Greater Omaha and has served on the Professional Photographers of Nebraska board. He holds the B.F.A. degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he completed his thesis on abstract painting.